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>Howtodress home stylishly inParisianmode
BYALYSSA J OON
PARISIANS have long been
hailed as trendsetters. Be it
food or fashion, the
Parisians can take anything
and give it a touch of sophistication.
This week, we look at how the
French have not let homes escape
its touch. Impossible it is for these
Parisians to keep their hands off
and adapt the interiors to their
decorating principles and style
reflecting a sense of simple and
stylish with hints of opulence
and luxury.
There are a number of fixtures
that are common in a Parisian
home. Some decorators may find
that putting together a wholly
Parisian roommay burn a hole in
the bank book, but a little bit,
perhaps one or two fixtures, can
bring a whole new look to a room.
WHITE WALLS
Despite the bright and airy feeling
that photos of French homes
display, the reality is that most
French apartments do not receive
much natural light unless they are
on the top floor. To maintain the
bright and airy feeling that is often
shown in photos, the walls of these
apartments are kept white. The
white walls help in maximising the
amount of natural light that is
filtered into the room. InMalaysia
however, we get ample sunlight
that a wholly white room can be
blinding. Go for colours that are
neutral or slightly off-white, such
as light greys and cream.
HARDWOOD FLOORS
Hardwood floors in chevron
patterns are a popular choice in
French-inspired homes. Besides its
homey and antique vibe, various
colour options are available in the
market. Light-coloured hardwood
aids inmaximising the natural light
of a room, while dark-coloured
hardwoodwill make bright coloured
furniture stand out more and add a
modern vibe to it.
WINDOWS ANDDOORS
Bring inmore light with French-
stylewindows and doors.With
ceiling-to-floor heights, thewooden
framed entry points give the rooma
country retreat home touch. It’s
perfect for areas with high activity,
such as the hall and kitchen. The
French use a number of materials as
window treatments, such as silks,
damasks and lace. A country home
themewould call for flowery
patterns, while a contemporary
themewould have plain lightweight
materials. For homes with
backyards, consider using a French-
style glass door to add a splash of
country chic instead of a plain glass
door. Metal-framed French glass
doors instead of the usual wooden
ones fit better into amodern-
themed home.
RUGS
Carpets, or rugs as we call them, are
a necessity in French homes.Where
space is limited, the simple
addition of a rug can do
wonders in adding
personality to a plain
room. The production of
carpets in France began in
mid 17th century, in a
closed soap factory
outside Paris called
Savonnerie. The patterns
on these carpets consisted
mostly of flowers, usually
in vases or baskets,
inspired byDutch and
Flemish textiles and
paintings. In the 18th
century, production began
inAubusson, where the
designs were inspired by
Turkish designs. These
vintage designsmake a
great addition to the living
room. Alternatively, go for
a crochet rug for
bedrooms for that
feminine touch.
HUGE BOOKSHELVES
Belle fromDisney’s Beauty and the
Beast was every bit French in
showing her love for books. No
French home office is complete
without towering ceiling-to-floor
bookshelves. In some homes, the
whole library takes up an entirewall
– almost like an accent wall, but
made of books. Many of the shelves
are in-built, and filledwith aging
brown leatherback books. If awhole
wall of bookshelves seema little too
much, go for an antique standing
shelf and add a set of Britannica
titles alongwith other quirky
porcelain decorations to achieve
the look.
CHANDELIERS
An inclusion of amassive light set
may seem ludicrous, because no
person needs a chandelier unless
they own a ballroom. However,
chandeliers come in different sizes,
whichmakes it a functional yet
fashionable addition to any room. In
dining rooms, for example, the
bigger the chandelier the better.
Hang it right above the dining table
with a height space of 30” and 36”
from the tabletop for better effect
and to avoid any headbanging
incidents. In other rooms, such as
the bedroomor living room, go for
French connection
multiple smaller-sized chandeliers
instead of a single, large one.
Chandeliers also come in iron-
wrought designs, for rooms with a
contemporary theme.
IRON-WROUGHT BALCONIES
Also known as a “Juliet balcony”,
French balconies aremore of
windowguards or ledges that
prevent you from falling out the
windowwhen you open it. These
iron balconies arewelded in
intricate swirled patterns and are
evocative of a French country home,
whichmakes them lovely additions
towindows that need a little
sprucing up instead of being left
bare outside. Use French balconies
to create a reading nook or amini
garden, perfect for unwinding
during theweekends.
PLANTS
When thewinters get too cold and
residents are stuck indoors, a little
greenery is awarm reminder of
warmer days to come. This is the
very reason the French line parts of
their homes with hanging vines. The
splash of nature is refreshing in a
small space. Incorporating small
succulents into the home is also an
artformof its own kind, as there are
many clear geometric-shaped vases
for the succulents to sit in that give a
touch of contemporary to the room.
Usewatering cans, jugs or tin boxes
as vases for bright-coloured flowers
in the dining area or the entryway.
VINTAGE FURNITURE
Chaise loungers, wooden-carved
armoires, wingback armchairs and
tufted bedframes are just some of
the essentials in a vintage-themed
French home. Keep a look out for
fleamarkets, as they are a primary
source for antique items.While
mostMalaysianmarketsmay not
have furniture pieces for sale, the
little knick knacks are perfect for
decorations for the home.
Complement with large golden-
framedmirrors in the hallways,
bedrooms and bathrooms that also
work to amplify the limited lighting
in a room. Be a little bold andmix
andmatch styles for a French room
that speaks of the old and the new.
The French decorate their homes
to echo their lifestyles – simplistic,
relaxing and celebrative of beauty. If
at the end of a long day, you dream
of coming home to plush couches
and relax the night away or spend a
weekend indoors without feeling
imprisoned, then a French-styled
home is what you need.
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